Elections after security improves - NEPC Governor

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 July 1999, 23:13 GMT]The main event in the North-eastern Provincial Council's (NEPC) celebration of local government week was held under tight security in Trincomalee town today due to the presence of the North-eastern Governor, Major General Asoka Jeyawardene, as the chief guest for the event.

Attendees at the celebrations held in St. Mary's College, in the centre of the town, were body searched by the security forces and police.

Journalists who were invited to cover the events by the organisers were also searched by the security forces.

The area surrounding the celebration venue was closed to traffic by the police for security reasons and a large number of armed police personnel were seen inside in the hall.

The chairman of the Trincomalee Co-ordinating Authority, Major General Sarath Fonseka, also attended the celebrations. The Chief Secretary of the North-eastern provincial council, G.Krishanamoorthy, presided over the events.

Speaking at the function Major General Jayawardhene said that local government elections will be held in the province once the security situation has improved.

Most local authorities, except for a few in the Jaffna district, are administered by officers appointed under the Emergency Regulations after the life of the elected councils expired.

Provincial Ministry Secretary at the Public Administration and Local Government Department, Mr.K.Paramalingam, said it was unfortunate that the majority of local authorities in the north east province were without elected councils.

Provincial Commissioner of Local Government, K.Sabapathipillai, and the Regional Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, P.Jegatheeswaran, also spoke.